Eastern Rockhopper Penguin vs Yellow-eyed Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin and Yellow-eyed Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Size Comparison
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
2-3.4 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
4.5-8.5 kg
| Feature | Eastern Rockhopper Penguin | Yellow-eyed Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Endangered |
| Scientific Name | Eudyptes filholi | Megadyptes antipodes |
| Height | 45-58 cm | 62-79 cm |
| Weight | 2-3.4 kg | 4.5-8.5 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-30 years | 8-25 years |
| Population | ~1,600,000 pairs | ~3,400 individuals |
| Diet | Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans | Fish, Squid, Crustaceans |
| Habitat | Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass | Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches |
| Regions | Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island | New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands |
| Genus | Eudyptes | Megadyptes |
Conservation Status
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
VulnerableYellow-eyed Penguin
EndangeredScientific Name
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes filholi
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes antipodes
Height
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
45-58 cm
Yellow-eyed Penguin
62-79 cm
Weight
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
2-3.4 kg
Yellow-eyed Penguin
4.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
10-30 years
Yellow-eyed Penguin
8-25 years
Population
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
~1,600,000 pairs
Yellow-eyed Penguin
~3,400 individuals
Diet
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Krill, Squid, Fish, Crustaceans
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Fish, Squid, Crustaceans
Habitat
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Rocky coastlines, Cliff faces, Tussock grass
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Coastal forests, Scrubland, Sandy beaches
Regions
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island
Yellow-eyed Penguin
New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands
Genus
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes
Yellow-eyed Penguin
Megadyptes
About Each Species
Eastern Rockhopper Penguin
Recognized as a distinct species from the Western Rockhopper since 2006, Eastern Rockhoppers breed on sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and share the same bold yellow crest and red eyes as their relatives.
Learn more about Eastern Rockhopper PenguinYellow-eyed Penguin
Known as Hoiho ('noise shouter') in Māori, this large, pale-faced penguin endemic to New Zealand is one of the world's rarest, unique among penguins for being largely solitary and nesting out of sight of others.
Learn more about Yellow-eyed PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Yellow-eyed Penguin is larger, standing up to 79cm tall compared to the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin's 58cm.
Which is more endangered, Eastern Rockhopper Penguin or Yellow-eyed Penguin?
The Eastern Rockhopper Penguin is classified as "Vulnerable" while the Yellow-eyed Penguin is "Endangered".
Do Eastern Rockhopper Penguins and Yellow-eyed Penguins live in the same area?
Eastern Rockhopper Penguins are found in Campbell Island, Antipodes Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island. Yellow-eyed Penguins are found in New Zealand, Auckland Islands, Campbell Islands.